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No one is to blame for the Zambia’s economy– Dr. Mwanza

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Former Bank of Zambia Governor Jacob Mwanza says he is confident the economic recession being experience worldwide will short-term.

Dr. Mwanza who is also former University of Zambia Vice chancellor said this is so in that all countries have realized the need to stimulate the economy by pumping billions of dollars to activate the lending systems thereby providing resources for investments.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today at the International Airport upon his arrival from Chipata where he accompanied President Rupiah Banda, Dr. Mwanza pointed out that so many remedial measures have been put by countries to correct the recession.

Dr. Mwanza ,a renown economist, pointed out that the financial problems that Zambia was going through should not be blamed on any one because the situation is due to globalization.

“What happens in any major economic leading countries affects everybody. If anything it’s the major financial giants who should be blamed for their recklessness in managing their credit portfolios which ended with no values because they could not be recovered,” said Dr. Mwanza.

He noted that Zambia can not escape the economic recession being experienced world wide especially that it relies on copper exports which have been affected by dramatic drop in prices.

The former Bank of Zambia Governor however said the future is bright because big countries like China will bounce back and the demand for copper will once again go up.

He echoed President Banda’s call for the country to diversify its economy saying the country needs to move away from reliance on one commodity.

ENDS/CBM/AM/ZANIS

Nchelenge man bites another’s genitals

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A 28-year-old man of Kashikishi in Nchelenge District is admitted to St. Pauls Mission Hospital after being bitten on the genitals by another man.

Sandys Chola of Daison village was severely bitten on his private parts after being found committing adultery with a married woman identified as Godfridah Lwimba.

Chola told ZANIS from his hospital bed that the assailant, Lewis Chola of Nkomba Village severely bit his private parts in the early hours of Sunday.

Chola, who regretted the adulterous affair, narrated that efforts to defend himself from the furious Lewis Chola failed because he was caught red handed in Godfridah’s matrimonial bedroom.

Chola said he is ashamed and regretted his actions and urged other men, who were in the habit of flirting with married women, to desist from such vices to avoid ending up in serious conflicts.

He complained that the injuries suffered in the fight could result in the possible loss of potence and affect his sexuality.

Chola, who was visibly in pain said because of the injuries, he is now unable to pass urine on his own and has to rely on a tube which has been inserted in the urinary tract at the hospital.

Godfridah defended her involvement in the adulterous affair saying it was because her marriage with Lewis was failing.

Meanwhile, Police in Nchelenge have picked up Lewis Chola for assaulting Chola and is expected to appear in court soon.

ENDS/ESM/ZANIS/SJK

Sata advised to dialogue with govt on contentious issues

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Both the United Liberal Party (ULP) and the Federation of Free Trade Unions in Zambia (FFTUZ) have advised opposition Patriotic Front (PF) President Michael Sata to consider dialogue with government on the high mealie-meal prices in the country.

Speaking in separate interviews with ZANIS in Lusaka today, ULP President Sakwiba Sikota said dialogue was an amicable way of addressing and ironing out contentious issues facing the country.

Mr. Sikota further said dialogue with the government on national issues would help maintain peace and reduce tension in the country.

He noted that perceived tension impacted negatively on the country as it scared away investors.

And commenting on reports that Kitwe Patriotic Front (PF) women have threatened to undress during the demonstrations over the high mealie meal prices, Mr. Sikota said the women would only embarrass themselves.

He added that it does not make sense to undress during the demonstrations.

And FFTUZ President Joyce Nonde has encouraged the opposition leader Michael Sata to dialogue with the government.

Ms. Nonde, who noted that the problem was that the opposition has not accepted the outcome of the October 30, Presidential by- elections, advised Mr. Sata to discuss with government on finding solutions the problems in the country.

She however challenged government to comprehensively explain what has led to the high mealie-meal prices in the country.

Ms. Nonde charged that politicians both in the opposition and the government were to blame for some of the problems facing the country as their influence should be used to better the situation not seeking political mileage.

And Ms Nonde has since condemned the Kitwe PF women who want to undress during the food demonstrations.

She said Zambia is Christian Nation adding that God does not allow people to expose their nakedness to the public as the human body is his temple.

ZANIS/AJN/AM/ENDS

Admission is not failure – Shikapwasha

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Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha
Information and broadcasting minister Ronnie Shikapwasha

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda’s remarks on the challenges the Government is facing should not be misconstrued as suggesting that he and his Cabinet have insurmountable problems, Chief Government spokesperson, Ronnie Shikapwasha has said.

Lieutenant General Shikapwasha said President Banda was not complaining but only acknowledging the enormity of the economic problems the Government and the people of Zambia had to grapple with in view of the global financial crisis.

Gen Shikapwasha said in a Press statement yesterday that it was sad that a former deputy minister would make remarks such as those attributed to Chisamba Member of Parliament, Moses Muteteka in respect of his own Government.

Gen Shikapwasha said the president, by stating that he was consulting various stakeholders and directing his ministers to take appropriate measures in dealing with the crisis, clearly meant that he was providing the necessary leadership expected of him.
He said President Banda and his Cabinet were confident with the measures that they had put in place to mitigate the global economic financial crisis and called for the cooperation of all Zambians.

“President Banda and his Cabinet have already started taking measures aimed at resolving the economic challenges faced in the mining sector as shown by his meeting with management of Luanshya Mine and the Mine Workers Union of Zambia in Luanshya on Saturday,” he said.

The President repeatedly said that what was required was for the people to know the efforts the Government was making in finding solutions to the economic downturn in the country and the effect it was likely to have on employment and production of goods and services.

On the composition of the Cabinet, Gen Shikapwasha said it was clear that the president had appointed people who were performers and placed them where he expected them to succeed.
He said ministers were not chosen necessarily by the professional qualifications but on account of their ability to provide leadership required to deliver services to the people.
“It is clear from the 44 years of the country’s history that some of the most effective ministers of Health were not necessarily medical doctors themselves.

“There is no doubt that Dr Brian Chituwo is a performer and did extremely well at the Ministry of Health. He is expected to do the same at the ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said there were several ministers who were heading ministries not necessarily because they were professionals in the services provided by those ministries.
He said if that were the case as being suggested by Mr Muteteka, certain ministries would have no ministers because of not having MPs with the necessary professional qualifications.

“Mr Mutetaka himself was once a deputy minister in the ministry of Lands. There is nothing that shows that he is an expert in matters of land but the late President Mwanawasa chose him because he believed he had the capacity to provide political leadership,” he said.
He said it was evidently the practice in many countries the world over for presidents and prime ministers to shuffle ministers and place them where they could best provide the desired results.

Times of Zambia

Subsidized fertiliser not adequate for Zambia’s large population- RB

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PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda during an interview at Radio Breeze in Chipata
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda during an interview at Radio Breeze in Chipata

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has observed that countries that imported fertilizer early enough were able to procure it at a cheaper price. The president said the price of the commodity had risen by the time government had procured it.

He was speaking on a live radio program on radio Breeze FM in Chipata district.

Mr. Banda  stated that it was not possible for all farmers to benefit the commodity at a subsidized price saying the population of Zambia was too high.

Mr. Banda explained that people would be required to buy fertilizer at the common market if the subsidized fertilizer was not adequate because the population of the country was high.

He also appealed to farmers not to sell subsidized farming inputs for monetary gains. He stated that the program was intended to improve food security in the country by assisting farmers to produce more food.

President Banda also noted that there was no need to regulate the media if they could operate responsibly.

Speaking on radio Breeze FM in Chipata district, Mr Banda said the media did not need to be regulated if they could write and publish the truth all the time.

He expressed concern that some sectors of the media did not cover the October elections very well. President Banda stated that the media required to be factual and objective in their coverage, in a manner which he referred to as professional.

President Banda said the K10 Billion required for the completion of the Chipata/Mchinji railway line may be considered in next year’s budget.

Mr. Banda stated that it was the intention of government to see the completion of the rail line, which was intended to boost economic activities in the province.

He stated that he was aware that people in the province were anxious to see the project completed.

ENDS/HN/PK/ZANIS

Fight gender-based violence – Booth

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US ambassador to Zambia David Booth with Zambia Institute of Legal Education director Ngosa Simbyakula in Lusaka
US ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth with Zambia Institute of Legal Education director Ngosa Simbyakula in Lusaka

United States (US) Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth has praised the Zambian government for taking necessary steps to fight gender-based violence.

Ambassador Booth said there is need for any country to address the gender-based violence adding that it has a negative impact on the development of the nation.

Speaking when he officiated the opening of a three-day workshop for prosecutors in Lusaka today, Ambassador Booth said prosecutors should take it upon themselves to ensure that gender-based violence victims are protected by prosecuting offenders of the vice.

The workshop which is organized the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with US government is focusing at current laws addressing gender based violence, sensitizing victims of gender-based violence and also the importance of prosecuting gender-based violence.

He disclosed that his government will work closely with all law enforcers by providing capacity building for prosecuting offenders of gender-based violence.

He noted that the training which is aimed at impacting prosecution knowledge in participants will be an on going process, adding that it is the only way the issue can be effectively addressed.

And speaking at the some function, Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) Chalwe Nchenga said the weaknesses in the current laws have led to the increase in the number of gender-based violence incidences.

Mr. Nchenga said many prosecutors in the country lack the capacity to investigate and prosecute gender- based violence cases.

He however, expressed happiness saying the training will go a long way in improving the skills of prosecutors in the country.

He has since appealed to the Ambassador Booth to spread the training other parts of the country, adding that it is the only way better results will be achieved.

The workshop which has attracted legal practitioners from Lusaka is been is being organized by the Women’s Justice and Empowerment Initiative in conjunction with the US government and is focusing at current laws addressing gender based violence, sensitizing victims of gender-based violence and also the importance of prosecuting gender-based violence.

ENDS/MM/AM/ZANIS

The late Emmanuel Kasonde put to rest

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Hundreds of people from all works of life today turned up in large numbers to pay their last respect to the late former Finance Minister Emmanuel Kasonde who was put to rest at his Trent Farm at Malole in Mungwi district.

Defense Minister George Mpombo represented Government during the burial procession which started with a church service at St. John Cathedral in Kasama. Addressing mourners at the burial site in Malole, Mr. Mpombo thanked the people of Northern Province for exhibiting high standards of maturity by not politicizing the funeral of the late Kasonde. Mr. Mpombo said Government was impressed with the dignified manner in which the people of Northern Province had conducted themselves during the funeral adding that this is how it should be.

The Minister said President Rupiah Banda could not hesitate to grant Mr. Kasonde a state funeral in recognition of his distinguished service to the nation during his life time.He appealed to the young generation of serving Public Service workers to emulate Mr. Kasonde’s commitment and dedication to the service of the country.

Speaking earlier, Northern Province Minister Charles Shawa thanked Government for according the late former Finance Minister a state funeral. Mr. Shawa said what government had done was a great honor to the people of Northern Province. He said the Provincial Administration was grateful that Government had honored the request of the Kasonde family to have him put to rest at Mukosa, and not anywhere else.

The family of the late Kasonde equally thanked Government for granting him a state funeral.
And during the church service, Fr. Ignatius Mwebe described the late Kasonde as one who had used his gift in financial matters to help others become self reliant especially the church.
He observed that the late Kasonde was not only an ardent Catholic but also greatly helped the church in financial matter.

The late Kasonde who was the first African Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of labour in the colonial days also served as Finance Minister under Dr. Fredrick Chiluba and the late Dr. Levy Mwanawasa.
He has left behind a widow, three children and eight (8) grandchildren.

Xavier Chungu arrested

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Chungu, surrounded by armed police officers leaving the Lusaka magistrate court
Chungu, surrounded by armed police officers leaving the Lusaka magistrate court

The Task Force on Corruption has said it has sufficient information indicating that the travel document which former Intelligence Director General Xavier Chungu used on his return to Zambia on 3rd December, 2008 is false.

In a press release signed by the Task Force on Corruption  Executive Chairman Maxwell Nkole and availed to the media, it has been stated that the investigations carried out so far has prompted the Task Force to prefer charges of forgery and uttering and possession of false documents in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code.

The statement further says Mr. Chungu was today formerly arrested at Woodlands Police Station in Lusaka on two counts of forgery and uttering false information, contrary to Sections 342 and 352 of the Penal Code Cap 87 of the laws of Zambia and will appear in court soon.

The Press release further states that it likely that the Prosecutors will prefer more charges on the indictment.

Government hasn’t spent that much on NCC – Kunda

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Vice president George Kunda talking to journalist during a briefing in Lusaka
Mr Kunda with the government yellow book during a briefing in Lusaka

Government has disclosed that it has only spent K44 billion out of the K309 billion which was budgeted for in the yellow book for this year’s constitution review process.

Vice President George Kunda said at a press briefing in Lusaka today that government has spent K44 billion on the various activities of the constitution review process contrary to remarks made by the opposition Patriotic Front Leader Michael Sata that it had spent K400 billion on this year’s constitution review process.

He said government would further need an additional amount of K5 billion to carter for other constitution review activities up to the run-up of this year.

Mr. Kunda said that it was sad that some sections of the society were accusing government of over spending resources on the constitution review process when it had only utilized K 44 billion on the constitutional activities.

He said government had devised a mechanism aimed at rationalizing government expenditure with a view to responding to the challenges of the global economic and financial crisis and soaring mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities.

The Vice President further said that government had decided to withdraw from the race of hosting the All African Games in order to ensure that resources which were meant for the programme were channeled to other development programmes such as the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP).

Mr Kunda listening to questions from journalists during a briefing in Lusaka
Mr Kunda listening to questions from journalists during a briefing in Lusaka

He explained that if Zambia had hosted the All African Games its was going to spend over K800 billion in hosting the event, a situation he said was going to frustrate government efforts of implementing other development programmes.

Mr. Kunda has since advised the Opposition Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata to desist from issuing statements that would help him win cheap political mileage.

Government has also developed a contingency Plan aimed at mitigating the effects floods in flood prone districts.

Vice President George Kunda, who announced the development in Lusaka today, said that government had decided to develop a Contingency Plan in order to respond to the various effects of flush floods in the event of an occurrence.

Mr. Kunda, could not state how much the plan was worth. He however said that government was working with other stakeholders in order to ensure that flood victims were taken care of in an event of an occurrence.

He further said that government under the Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZAMVAC) has dispatched 14 teams to 34 districts in the country to assess food needs in the targeted areas.

The Vice President also disclosed that a team of Zambia Vulnerability Assessment Committee officials have been dispatched to Monze district to ascertain the gravity of food insecurity in the district.

It has been reported that people in Monze district are living on wild roots.

The Vice President has since assured the nation that government is actively and is continuously assessing the hunger situation and that it is defining other appropriate responses aimed at mitigating the effects of hunger in some parts of the country.

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

Ex DC challenges Sata

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Mr Sata talking to his cadres outside the Supreme Court
Mr Sata talking to his cadres

Former Mazabuka District Commissioner, Misheck Chiinda, has urged Patriotic Front, PF, leader, Michael Sata, to state his position on calls by government to have an indaba over the rising price of meal meal.

Mr Chiinda has also urged the Police service not to take kindly, people agitating violence over the rising price of mealie meal if they are not ready to dialogue with government.

He told ZANIS in Mazabuka today, the rising price of mealie meal has nothing to do with President, Rupiah Banda, and government but the financial crisis dogging the world economies.

Mr Chiinda said the opposition and other members of civil society should instead offer solutions to the government on how to reduce mealie meal prices rather than inciting people to engage in violent activities and rise against government.

Mr Chiinda said while demonstrations are allowed in a democratic state such as Zambia, it would be disastrous for the Police to issue permits to the opposition parties especially the PF which is well known for fanning violence.

He, however, expressed happiness that Mazabuka residents including the PF cadres are against the demonstrations.

Multi billion kwacha dry port project underway in Nakonde

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Construction of a multi billion kwacha dry port at Wulongo in Nakonde district in Northern Province has commenced.

MOFED Tanzania, which is a Zambian company owned by the ministry of Finance and Economic Development is billed to construct a dry port at Wulongo township area at a cost of US$ 10 million.

Nakonde District Commissioner, Edwin Sinyinza, has confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Nakonde today.

Mr Sinyinza said MOFED engineers and technicians are already on site.

Mr Sinyinza added that civil works encompassing administration offices and dry port land clearing is already in progress.

He added that several local contractors have been sub contracted to provide equipment such as bulldozers, graders and other vehicles to supply gravel, river and building sand, and timber as well as to under take civil works.

The project, once completed, would help speed up the handling of both inputs and export cargo at the Nakonde border post.

This project would also expected to impact positively on government revenue base and create employment for local people.

ZANIS/ENDS/JM/SJK

Millers to buy maize from FRA

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Government has agreed to supply maize to copperbelt millers to enable them sell mealie meal at a reduced price.

Agriculture minister, Brian Chituwo, says government received a request from millers to buy maize from the Food Reserve Agency-FRA.

Dr. Chituwo told ZNBC news on Monday that government agreed to sell maize to millers after a meeting last Friday.

He assured the millers on the copperbelt that they will receive the maize as soon as possible.

And Dr. Chituwo revealed that he has received information indicating that some millers were hoarding maize stocks.

The minister appealed to all partners dealing in maize to ensure that they cooperate with government to ensure sufficient supply of maize on the market.
ZNBC

Government assures the nation

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VICE president George Kunda arrives at the disaster management and mitigation unit to receive relief donations from the Nigerian government
VICE president George Kunda

Vice President George Kunda has assured the nation that government will not spare any efforts to mitigate the hunger being experienced in the country.

Mr. Kunda says government through his office has devised an effective mechanism aimed at mitigating hunger in the country.

The Vice President told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that his office has since dispatched a team of inspectors to ascertain the extent of hunger cited in some parts of the country.

Mr. Kunda further disclosed that he will today issue a comprehensive statement regarding to the extent of hunger in the country.

The Vice President has since called on Zambians to concentrate on growing more food rather than resorting to holding demonstrations saying that the escalating of mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities were a global challenge.

Mr. Kunda said growing more food was a measure aimed at addressing the various challenges of soaring mealie-meal prices and other essential commodities that the country was facing.

Muteteka faces an insubordination charge – Teta

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MMD Chisamba member of Parliament (MP) Moses Muteteka faces an insubordination charge over his ill remarks  alleging that President Rupiah Banda’s admission that Zambia is facing problems is a sign of leadership failure as published in one of the daily tabloids.

Briefing journalists in Lusaka yesterday, MMD Spokesperson Benny Tetamanshimba said MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga has with immediate effect directed MMD National Secretary Dr. Katele Kalumba to charge the Chisamba MP and ordinary member of the party, Moses Muteteka for under-mining the party communication channels.

According to Mr. Tetamanshimba, MMD National Chairman and Acting Party President Michael Mabenga has further directed MMD Deputy National Chairman Kabinga Pande to call a Committee to look at the charge letter and report to the National Executive Committee (NEC), the highest organ of the MMD party.

Mr. Tetamanshimba stated that Mr. Mabenga not taken kindly the sentiments of Mr. Muteteka because the MP is fully aware of a forum through which he can express his feelings on the governance of the MMD party.

He said Mr. Muteteka should have expressed his feeling through the MMD caucus meeting where political issues are discussed as well as the parliamentary Liaison Committee with the Head of State emphasizing that President Rupiah Banda was duly elected and voted for by the Zambian people to lead this country, Zambia.

Mr. Muteteka is quoted as having said that leaders are there to create hope, confidence and trust to the citizens because the Zambians  are waiting for solutions from the government of the day to solve the country’s problems.

President Banda courts special envoy

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President Rupiah Banda with South African special envoy Reverend Frank Chikani after private talks at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe
President Rupiah Banda with South African special envoy Reverend Frank Chikani after private talks at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe

President Rupiah Banda yesterday held talks with a special envoy of South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, regarding the humanitarian problems prevailing in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Banda met South Africa’s Cabinet Secretary, Reverend Frank Chikane at Mushroom Lodge in Mfuwe where Rev. Chikane delivered a special message from President Motlanthe on the situation in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Those in attendance of the closed door meeting were Zambia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao, while the South African delegation included Dr. Ayanda Ntsaluba, Director General of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Joy Ratheba, a Presidential Chief Analyst for International Relations and Trade.

The South African envoy was in Zambia to consult President Banda in his capacity as a member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Troika which has been involved in trying to find a lasting solution to the problems prevailing in Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In a press statement issued by State House Chief Analyst for Press and Public Relations Dickson Jere, President Banda said Zambia will support the humanitarian initiative by SADC on Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The South African delegation later left Zambia for the Democratic Repulic of Congo for similar talks.

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